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EyeToy

(Redirected from Eye Toy)
Eye Toy

An EyeToy on a PS2 Slim

Specifications:
Platform: PlayStation 2
Interface: USB
Connector: USB 1.1
Power consumption 50 mA
Dimensions: 44 × 53 × 89 mm
Weight: 173 g
Cable length: 2 m
Resolution: 640×480 pixels
Lenshead: Manual focus ring
This article is part of the PlayStation 2 series


The EyeToy is a digital camera device for the PlayStation 2 similar to a webcam. The camera is manufactured by Logitech, although newer Eye Toys are manufactured by Nam Tai . The camera is mainly used for playing Eye Toy games developed by Sony and other companies. It also features a built in microphone. It is not intended for use as a normal PC camera, although some people have developed unofficial drivers for it (see External links).

History

The EyeToy was originally thought of by Dr Richard Marks, who had the idea of connecting a web camera to a PlayStation 2 and using it to play games with. The idea of using cameras in games is not new, as used previously in many arcade games and toys such as the Game Boy Camera, but with the resolution of modern cameras and the processing power of the PlayStation 2 there were new ideas possible. The idea was taken up by S.C.E.E. London Studio, who showed a concept in 2002 with four games. The idea was a success and the hardware was released in Europe in July 2003 along with its first real game, EyeToy: Play.

Design

The EyeToy features a compact design which is intended to be placed on top of the console or television. The camera is mounted on a pivot, allowing for easy positioning and focusing; focusing the camera is performed by rotating a ring around the lens. It comes with two LED lights on the front. A blue light turns on when the PS2 is on, indicating that it is ready to be used, while the red light flashes when there is insufficent light in the room. There is also a microphone built in, for uses such as recording a short video message for someone.


Technical limitations

Due to the camera's need to "see" the player as they play, the camera can be very finicky about how much light is in the room. Different games have a different tolerance for varying light conditions, with the most touchy of them all being EyeToy: Antigrav.

Last updated: 10-22-2005 12:42:01
Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46